§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make a statement on the present position of the salmon disease which is now affecting rivers in England and Scotland, and especially in what further rivers outbreaks have been reported during the last two months, the extent of such outbreaks, and any further steps which Her Majesty's Government, river authorities or anglers can advantageously take to minimise the spread and effects of the disease.]
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, outbreaks of salmon disease have occurred during the last two months in the Rivers Conder, Crake, Gilpin and Kent, in Lancashire; the Riven Eden, in Cumberland, and the Rivers Dee, Annan and Nith, in South-West Scotland. The outbreaks have affected salmon, sea trout, and brown trout, and have caused considerable mortalities in some rivers, although sometimes the position is obscured by the natural mortality which occurs among spawned fish at this time of year. Unless and until the scientific researches which are now being pursued discover new methods of combating the disease we know of no additional measures which we could also recommend beyond those of which river authorities and anglers have already been advised.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, arising out of that reply, may 318 I ask the Minister whether, if scientific investigations now proceeding result in some positive proposals, we can have an assurance that they will be made public at once?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I think I can give the noble Lord that assurance, and certainly I will pass on his message to my right honourable friend.
§ LORD NUGENT OF GUILDFORDMy Lords, in view of the rather worrying situation of such widespread outbreaks and the severe mortality, can the noble Baroness tell us whether there have been consultations with scientific authorities in other countries to find out whether any useful information or advice can be obtained from them on how to deal with this disease?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I am given to understand that there is a constant flow of information between countries through the international sources.
§ LORD STRANGEMy Lords, can the noble Lady tell me whether certain surprising deaths of rainbow hatchery trout, which have occurred in this country and in Ireland, had anything to do with this disease?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I cannot give the noble Lord a direct reply to that question. The scientists are still trying to discover whether there are connections, and a great number of discussions and researches are going on; of that I can assure the noble Lord.
LORD FARINGDONMy Lords, I wonder whether my noble friend now has the reply to a supplementary question I put on this subject last week.
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I am happy to assure the noble Lord that I have not forgotten his very important question, and I have only to-day inquired about it. The answer is being obtained and will be sent to him.
THE DUKE OF ATHOLLMy Lords, is it true that this disease spreads naturally when the water is cold, and can we therefore hope that in about two or three months' time it may stop spreading?
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSMy Lords, I am sorry that I cannot give the noble Duke a direct reply to that question, but I will investigate it for him and let him have a reply.